August 13, 2009
News Release 09-061
Inv. No. 731-TA-1163 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of woven electric blankets from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping duty investigation on imports of these products from China, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about December 7, 2009.

The Commission's public report Woven Electric Blankets from China (Investigation No. 731- TA-1163 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4097, August 2009) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after September 11, 2009, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The blankets at issue are finished, semi-finished, and unassembled woven electric blankets, including woven electric blankets commonly referred to as throws, of all sizes and fabric types, whether made of man-made fiber, natural fiber, or a blend of both. Semi-finished woven electric blankets and throws consist of shells of woven fabric containing wire. Unassembled woven electric blankets and throws consist of a shell of woven fabric and one or more of the following components when packaged together or in a kit: (1) Wire; (2) controller(s). The shell of woven fabric consists of two sheets of fabric joined together forming a "shell." The shell of woven fabric is manufactured to accommodate either the electric blanket's wiring or a subassembly containing the electric blanket's wiring (e.g., wiring mounted on a substrate).

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  Sunbeam Products, Inc. doing business as Jarden Consumer Solutions, Boca
          Raton, FL.
3.  Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  June 30, 2009.
4.  Commission's conference:  July 21, 2009.
5.  USITC vote:  August 13, 2009.
6.  USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  August 14, 2009.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  August 21, 2009.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2008:  One.
2.  Location of producer's plant:  Waynesboro, MS.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2008: (1) 
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2008: (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2008: (1)


U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject country during 2008:  $25.9 million.
2.  From other countries during 2008:  None.
3.  Leading source during 2008:  China.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.